The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has received a significant number of complaints from consumers regarding unsolicited telemarketing calls. In response, ACM is now actively checking whether companies have made necessary adjustments to their practices to prevent such calls, including those made by third-party call centers.

ACM's audits focus on telecom and energy companies that utilize telemarketing for customer recruitment. The authority is particularly interested in how these companies ensure that consumers only receive calls if they have explicitly consented to them. This initiative is part of ACM's broader effort to eliminate unsolicited telemarketing, which has been a persistent nuisance for consumers, especially those in vulnerable positions.

In March, ACM organized a meeting with telecom and energy companies to clarify the rules and set a compliance deadline of July 1. Companies that fail to demonstrate adequate compliance risk facing enforcement actions from ACM. Edwin van Houten, Director of ACM's Consumer Department, emphasized the importance of addressing this issue, stating that unsolicited calls are the most reported nuisance by consumers.

ACM is also assessing the compliance of businesses that make telemarketing calls on behalf of these companies, holding them accountable under the principle of chain responsibility. Recently, VodafoneZiggo committed to adhering to telemarketing regulations moving forward.

In addition to compliance checks, ACM continues to enforce rules regarding the content of telemarketing calls, requiring companies to clearly identify themselves and explain the purpose of their calls. These regulations apply to all businesses that engage in telemarketing to contact consumers.

Consumers can report unsolicited telemarketing calls through ACM's consumer information portal, ACM ConsuWijzer, which aids the authority in identifying irregularities and taking appropriate action.